Mohini Mani, the mother of leading Tamil actor Ajith Kumar, passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning in Chennai after a prolonged illness. She was 85 years old and breathed her last at a private hospital, leaving the Tamil film fraternity and fans in mourning.
According to family sources, her health had been deteriorating over the past several months due to age-related ailments. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit recently, where she was receiving critical medical attention before the end came peacefully. Ajith Kumar, who was in the middle of a hectic shooting schedule abroad for his upcoming film ‘Good Bad Ugly,’ rushed back to Chennai immediately upon hearing the news of her hospitalization and was reportedly by her side in her final days.
The news has sent a wave of grief across the film industry. Fellow actors, directors, and producers took to social media to offer their condolences. Actor Vijay posted a heartfelt message recalling Mohini Mani’s warmth and kindness during his early career days, stating that she always treated him like a second son. Film director Siva, a long-time collaborator of Ajith, was among the first industry colleagues to visit the family’s residence in Mylapore to pay his last respects.
A private funeral ceremony was held later in the day, with the family choosing to keep the final rites intimate and away from the public glare, a reflection of the intensely private nature Ajith Kumar has maintained throughout his career. Only close family members, relatives, and a handful of industry friends were in attendance. A statement from Ajith’s publicist read, ‘The family requests everyone to respect their need for privacy as they grieve this profound loss. They thank fans and media for the outpouring of love and messages of support.’
Mohini Mani is survived by her two sons, actor Ajith Kumar and Anil Kumar, and a daughter. She was known to be a pillar of support in Ajith’s life, playing a significant role in his career decisions and famously insisting he maintain his distinctive salt-and-pepper look that became his trademark. The family had recently celebrated her 85th birthday in a quiet ceremony at home, photographs of which had been widely circulated by fans. The legacy of dignity and resilience she instilled in her family continues to resonate deeply through the actor’s life and career.
